Decerto: Road to Freedom
Title: Decerto: Road to Freedom
Chapter: 35/40 + epilogue
Fandoms: Super Junior, U-Kiss
Pairings: KyuHyun/Zhou Mi, Han Geng/HeeChul, KiBum/SooHyun
Rating: R overall
Warning: AU, violence, angst
Summary: Taking place six years before the events of Decerto, the story of how a human and a slave started a revolution.
The tournament passed far too slowly for KiBum, each day feeling like weeks. If it weren't for SooHyun at his side through the whole thing, he wasn't sure how he would have handled it. Many days the fighting in the ring and the fights with HyungJoon were too much for him, and he had to disappear for a while to avoid saying something he might regret.
He just felt so useless. Everyone else was risking their life to get things done, Kevin and Zhou Mi in danger, but KiBum couldn't do anything other than sit in a booth and watch Signs try to kill each other. If he could just do something, anything, the stress would ease up a little.
He'd managed to attend the protests briefly the day before, while HyungJoon was watching the matches. Just the short hour spent in the crowd of students made him feel a little better. At least this was something he could do right. He slept better that night, rather than toss and turn for hours.
That didn't mean he was happy to head out the next morning for another day of matches. Tying his shoes up, KiBum looked up at SooHyun. "There should be a rest day coming up soon, I think…you wanna get away from here a bit, go do something?"
"Go where?" SooHyun asked, tilting his head slightly as one ear flickered. "You mean out of the city? Then yes, definitely. Anywhere and do anything."
KiBum smiled at that. "How about one of the mountains? Go hiking through a forest…I'll bring that book on flowers so you don't try eating anything that'll make you sick."
"I'd like that," SooHyun grinned. "As long as you'll be happy hiking up a mountain, goats are natural climbers but humans aren't."
"I'll be fine, I'm not that out of shape," KiBum laughed, standing once his shoes were on. "Might not follow you up a cliff face though, I'll take the long way around." He walked to the door, waiting for SooHyun.
"As long as you enjoy yourself too," SooHyun said, following him out the door and closing it behind them. "I know you like to think you have to make sure I'm having fun all the time and enjoying myself, but I want you to be able to do the things you want to do to."
"I am doing what I want to do," KiBum smiled at the goat, taking SooHyun's hand. "Exploring places with you, when it's just us and you're laughing loud enough to scare away the birds, that's what I want to do."
"You're very strange for a human, and that's saying something," SooHyun said, keeping his voice low. There wasn't anyone else in the hall, but there was no way of knowing who was lurking behind doors.
"I hope that's a good kind of strange," KiBum chuckled, heading down the hallway. They'd found a path through the back of the hotel that helped them avoid the majority of the crowd outside, so he headed that way.
"Well... I like it, so I guess so?" SooHyun shrugged, opening the door to the stairwell for KiBum to go first. "Your boyfriend is a Sign, that makes you weird by human standards."
"Probably, but I'm okay with that," KiBum chuckled. "Who wants to be normal?" He headed down the stairwell, listening to the sound of the protests filtering in from the windows. "Is it just me or have they gotten even louder? Must be more people."
"Kevin did say they were bringing in everyone," SooHyun said. "I think he meant it... Maybe after what you told he made sure anyone who could hold up a sign or chant was here."
When they exited the stairwell and made their way outside to the colosseum, KiBum saw they were right. The amount of protestors had swelled, even reaching the path they'd chosen to avoid the crowd. "Wow," KiBum listened to the loud chanting as they walked to the colosseum. He could hear Kevin on the megaphone, but couldn't see the blond kid through the sea of people.
So many people around made SooHyun very nervous. It wouldn't take much to set off tempers in this volatile of a situation, they'd heard that reports of slave owners being attacked on the streets. Even though people knew who he and KiBum were, one person who didn't could set off a very bad chain reaction. SooHyun kept himself as close to KiBum as possible, his hand at the small of KiBum's back to urge him to go quickly.
Not only were the protestors a problem, but so were the press. Someone had figured out who KiBum was and every time one of them caught sight of KiBum, the younger brother was hounded with questions about HyungJoon and the house, and especially KyuJong. In fact, there were two men with cameras strolling towards the colosseum doors and if they didn't hurry, would beat KiBum inside. "You would think they would have come up with a way to keep the house masters and their families safe during all this," he spoke into KiBum's ear.
"There are…escorts to and from the colosseum, but they can only do so much," KiBum replied, a little distracted. "I don't think they were expecting this many protestors." He did speed up when he noticed the cameramen heading the same direction as them. No way was he dealing with that again.
Thankfully they made it into the colosseum first, heading into one of the lifts. "I don't mind the city crowds, but I do mind people trying to shove cameras in my face," KiBum mumbled to SooHyun, leaning slightly against the goat.
"I mind people getting anywhere near you," SooHyun huffed, his arm tightening around KiBum's waist.
Chuckling quietly, KiBum took advantage of being alone in the lift to lean up and press a soft kiss to SooHyun's lips. The lift stopped at their floor a moment later, and his hand slipped into SooHyun's again as they headed out and to their box.
When they got there, only YunHo and YoungSaeng were present. KiBum said a quiet good morning, going to his seat in the corner with SooHyun.
HyungJoon arrived not long after, towing a very confused looking RyeoWook with him. "Morning, YunHo," the young master said, YunHo and YoungSaeng. "YoungSaeng... SooHyun, I'm going to ask the both of you to leave for a moment," he said, looking at KiBum directly. "RyeoWook is going to escort you to my viewing box for the time being."
Eyebrows going up, SooHyun looked to KiBum in confusion. The hard edge to HyungJoon's tone and his narrowed eyes gave him pause. He'd seen HyungJoon upset before, but it looked like the older brother was angry... and angry at KiBum.
Meeting SooHyun's look with just as much confusion, KiBum turned to face his brother. His eyes went from HyungJoon to RyeoWook. "Why, what's going on," he asked, feeling a sense of foreboding in how HyungJoon was looking at him.
"You and I are going to have a conversation," HyungJoon said, his lips pressed firmly together. "I would rather the slaves weren't here for it."
YoungSaeng was getting to his feet, giving YunHo a quick kiss before heading to the door. "Come on, goat, family business trumps," he said. Looking at KiBum nervously, SooHyun slowly got to his feet and shuffled towards the door.
"I'll send someone for you when we're done," HyungJoon said, nodding to RyeoWook to lead them out.
KiBum inhaled deeply once SooHyun was gone, leaving him alone with HyungJoon and YunHo, who also seemed to know what was going on. He shifted in his seat to face them better. "Well, what is it."
HyungJoon sat down beside him, taking a deep breath. When he looked at KiBum, his expression was hurt.
"I know…KiBum. I know you're one of the protestors."
KiBum's heart sank in his chest, throat closing. But…how? He'd been careful to stay away…except for yesterday. Had someone seen him and SooHyun with the protestors in the brief amount of time they'd been there?
He didn't know what to say, heart starting to race. He forced himself to stay calm and not panic, meeting HyungJoon's eyes. "Are you going to ask me to stop?"
"If you want to continue to be supported by me, then yes," HyungJoon replied, frowning. "I won't have someone living off the money I make part of that, it's complete and utter hypocrisy."
KiBum's jaw clenched slightly, and he looked away. There had to be a good way to say this…there had to be a way to make HyungJoon understand. "I'm not going to stop. I believe in their cause," he said finally.
"Then you're no longer a part of my family," HyungJoon said, and KiBum froze. "Which means you're no longer welcome at the house. Dad would be so ashamed of you right now."
Pain stabbed him, KiBum looking at HyungJoon in shock. Was HyungJoon really-?
"HyungJoon, surely that isn't the only answer," YunHo tried to interject.
HyungJoon was disowning him. Without even giving KiBum a chance to explain himself, to show why he believed in the protesting. And bringing Dad into it…KiBum felt the tears start, and stood up.
"No, if that's what he wants, then fine. If standing up for what I believe is right is a cause for shame, then I won't bother you with my presence again. None of us can change the fact we were born into this life, but that isn't going to make a bad thing right." The words he'd wanted to say for so long finally came out. "They deserve more than to fight like animals and die for us, or to be used as bedwarmers, or to have a life in chains."
HyungJoon stood up as well, glaring at his brother. "I agree with you KiBum, and I want things to change just as much as you, but you have been lying to me from the start! Yet you lecture me because I kept how bad things were from you. That is why I'm angry with you, and that is why I have asked you to stop. I don't think you completely understand what it is I'm saying right now. By continuing to protest against your own brother, I will cut you off, close your bank account and cancel your credit cards. You want to fight injustice? Then do it on someone else's dime and not with money won by the very thing you're protesting."
"For your information, hyung, I didn't use a single won of your dirty money for this," KiBum hissed, hands clenched at his sides. "I got a part-time job and used my own money. And I understand full well what you're saying. I'm telling you that I'm not stopping, because if we don't stand up for them, who will? I never wanted to lie to you, but I knew you'd react like this and wanted to hold on to my brother for a little longer."
"Just so you can stab me in the back later?" HyungJoon shook his head before he sat back down, rubbing at his forehead. "Whatever KiBum. Do whatever you want with your life. It's not like we were that close anyway, I don't know you bothered to try."
KiBum was shaking by then. He didn't know how he wasn't already crying. "Maybe because even after everything, I still love my hyung and wanted this whole fighting business behind us so we can be close again."
He stepped around the couch and towards the door, fingers curling around the doorknob. "Goodbye."
"This is my life KiBum, I'm sorry you couldn't accept that," HyungJoon said, not moving from where he was sitting. "I'll have your things set out for you from the house if you want them, or are they all tainted as well?"
"I don't need them." KiBum opened the door, stepping out. "I don't want a life that sends innocent people to die."
He left the room, walking down the hallway towards the viewing box where SooHyun would be. After a minute, he realized HyungJoon wasn't going to come after him. His brother was really disowning him. He was still in shock, the reality not sinking in yet.
Finding the other viewing box, he opened the door, seeing the three Signs inside. "Come on SooHyun, let's go."
SooHyun slowly rose to his feet from where he'd been sitting on one of the couches. The other two Signs had been nice enough to talk to him while they were there, but he had been an anxious mess the entire time. Of course, he didn't miss the look in KiBum's eyes, and his anxiety went through the roof. "KiBum? What's wrong? What happened?" he asked softly, stepping towards him.
"Nothing, we're going." KiBum turned away from the room, not even looking at RyeoWook or YoungSaeng. He headed back to the lift, hands jammed into his pockets to keep them from shaking.
SooHyun made a hasty goodbye to the other two Signs before trotting out after him to the lifts. By the time he caught up, the gates were opening to let people out. Fidgeting anxiously until everyone was off, he waited until the gates had closed once they were inside to look at KiBum with wide eyes. "Obviously something happened..."
KiBum's expression had closed off, the younger man's eyes unfocused and not looking at SooHyun. "We're going back to the hotel," was all he would say, an edge to his voice that wasn't directed at the goat.
Shrinking back slightly, SooHyun watched KiBum worriedly. He'd never heard KiBum talk that way and he was more than a little scared to go back to the room with him. Shuffling away a little, he clasped his hands in front of him and looked down at the floor. When the lift reached the ground floor, he waited until KiBum exited before following after, staying at least two steps behind the entire way to the hotel.
Even once in the hotel, there was no conversation, KiBum staying silent. Anger and grief tore at him, anger at both HyungJoon and himself. He felt like the world had dropped out from under him.
Stepping into their hotel room, he didn't even bother taking off his shoes. KiBum strode over to the closet, pulling out their luggage bags and dumping them on the bed before starting to open drawers.
SooHyun was frozen at the door, watching KiBum pack. Whatever had happened had been bad, that much was clear. But they were leaving? Lips thinning, Soohyun quietly started to help put things neatly into the suitcases. When KiBum was ready to talk, he would listen and try to understand.
Once the clothes were packed away, SooHyun zipped up the suitcases and lifted them off the bed, setting them down by the door. He waited quietly, head down until KiBum was ready to go.
KiBum looked blankly at the bags by the door. This was really happening. He wasn't a Kim anymore. Throat constricting, he turned away from the door. "Find Kevin and tell him we'll be at the apartment," he said quietly. "I need a minute."
Bowing a little, SooHyun slipped out the door and left KiBum alone. It would be hard to find Kevin in the mess on the streets.
KiBum turned slightly to look at the door as it closed behind SooHyun. He sat down, staring down at his hands. Was wanting Signs to be free really that horrible? He hadn't even been given a chance to explain himself…tell HyungJoon the things he'd seen, the hope and happiness in America, the crushing despair in the breeding house…
He kept coming back to the realization that he no longer had a brother, the thought hitting him like a ton of bricks over and over. Choking back a sob, KiBum pressed one hand to his mouth, tears flowing in a steady stream.
When SooHyun returned some time later, he slipped in just as quietly as he had left. It didn't surprise him that KiBum was crying, but he wished he knew why. Not sure what to do, he stood up against the wall, hands clasped and head down.
It took a few minutes for KiBum to respond to SooHyun's presence, shoulders shaking as he cried. His hand dropped from his face, head lowered.
"We're not going back home," he whispered finally, voice watery.
SooHyun nodded, already coming to that conclusion since he just went to tell Kevin they were going to the apartment. "Kevin said he will be waiting for us," he replied quietly.
KiBum nodded mutely, closing his eyes. As the shock slowly subsided, despair took it's place. He was alone now. He'd lost the only family he had, and now he was really alone.
Staggering to his feet, KiBum wiped at his eyes. "Let's go," he whispered, slowly picking up his bags and slinging them over his shoulder.
SooHyun took the other bag, opening the door for him. There wasn't much he could do at this point, feeling helpless.
They met Kevin down by the bus depot, how the other man had gotten away from the protests was left to the imagination since more students were still coming in. KiBum didn't reply to the question of what was wrong, eyes closed as he waited for the bus.
It took half an hour to get back to the apartment, the ride there silent. Finally they arrived, KiBum stepping into the apartment and placing his bags just inside the door to his and SooHyun's bedroom.
Despite what people seemed to believe about him on first glance, Kevin wasn't an idiot. It was very obvious that this wasn't a social visit especially since SooHyun looked like someone had rewired his programming again and was staying out peoples way, not saying anything. Closing the door and locking it, Kevin gave a wary glance to SooHyun as he followed KiBum to the older man's bedroom. "So... how long are you staying?" he asked.
"I don't know," KiBum said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. He looked down at his hands. "HyungJoon found out, about the protests."
Eyes widening, Kevin moved into the room to sit down next to him. "What happened? Did you guys fight?"
KiBum nodded, exhaling shakily as he closed his eyes. He was on the verge of tears again. "He disowned me."
"Oh... KiBum," Kevin's eyes softened as he put an arm around KiBum's shoulders. "I'm sorry... I know how much he means to you. Maybe... maybe he was just being rash and didn't really mean it, and he'll apologize or... I don't know. Is there anything I can do?"
KiBum didn't really believe Kevin's words; for HyungJoon to be angry enough to disown him, he must truly hate KiBum now. KiBum's shoulder's shuddered slightly, and he shook his head. "…Where's SooHyun?" he asked after a long minute of silence, looking up at his friend.
"Uh..." Kevin craned his neck over to look out the door, seeing SooHyun standing exactly where he'd left him. "In the living room, looking like someone removed his brain. Is he okay?"
"I don't know…" KiBum had been too upset to pay attention to the goat, barely registering SooHyun's presence. He leaned against Kevin a little, taking in the amount of comfort offered, and slowly stood. "I should talk to him," he said quietly, scrubbing at his eyes.
"Well I don't think he's going anywhere, so it can wait until you've calmed down a little," Kevin said. "Was he there when it happened? I'm sure that's why he's like that."
KiBum shook his head, leaning against the wall and head down. "He knows we're not going back home…not why, I couldn't…tell him in front of all those people."
"So he doesn't know what happened?" Kevin frowned slightly at that. "Then I don't know what's wrong with him... you want me to go get him?"
"No…I should talk to him," KiBum wiped his eyes, trying to clear away the tears. "I just need a moment. I'm sorry for taking you away from the protests."
"Hey, you're my friend and needed help, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now," Kevin said gently. "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help."
"Thank you," KiBum nodded, straightening and forcing a small smile. "That…means a lot to me right now. Not that…it didn't before…but you know what I mean." He exhaled slowly before turned to go back into the living room. He saw that SooHyun really hadn't moved from the doorway. "…SooHyun?"
The goat's eyes came back into focus and he looked at KiBum, inclining his head. Kevin watched with a frown from KiBum's shoulder. "I... need to get back, you going to be okay here?"
"Yeah…thanks, Kev," KiBum nodded. Looking down, he reached out and lightly touched SooHyun's hand. "Come on…let's go sit down."
SooHyun didn't reply, not even a twitch of his fingers as he looked up at KiBum and followed him to the couch to sit down. Perched tensely on the edge of the cushion, hands resting on his knees he stared forward as if he would be asked to jump at any second. Seeing that, Kevin gave KiBum a supportive smile as he put his shoes back on and left, closing the door behind him.
Throat constricting as he watched SooHyun, KiBum bit the inside of his cheek and closed his eyes for a moment to compose himself. He had to be strong right now, if not for himself, then for SooHyun. Sitting down beside SooHyun, he glanced sideways at SooHyun's hands resting on his knees.
"HyungJoon found out, about me being part of the protests." His voice was quiet. "I'm not welcome back at the Kim house anymore. I'm sorry…we won't be going back."
That finally got a reaction out of SooHyun as he looked at KiBum, though his expression was unreadable. "I'm sorry..." he whispered after a moment, looking away again. "Do you want me to unpack your things?"
"No…I'll do it after," KiBum shook his head. He reached out and lightly covered SooHyun's hand with his own. "It'll…be tough for a while, but we'll get through this." He didn't sound entirely convinced of that himself.
SooHyun looked down at the hand, his brow furrowing slightly. "I'm sorry.... I wasn't being a good boyfriend," he said finally. "I should have done more to comfort you but I didn't know what was wrong and you were so angry and I didn't want to get hit... I'm sorry."
"I'd never hit you…never," KiBum shook his head slowly, looking down at their hands too as his fingers curled a little more securely around SooHyun's. "Was that…why you were so quiet?"
"I had never seen you so angry before," SooHyun said, trying not to tremble but failing miserably. "I didn't know what had happened or what you would do if I kept talking to you and asking you questions, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for doubting you."
"Don't be sorry," KiBum whispered. "It's not your fault…" He lifted their hands, fingers linking together as he pressed a soft kiss to the back of SooHyun's hand, eyes closing.
"That doesn't mean I'm not sorry for my actions," SooHyun said, hanging his head. "Maybe if I had spoken up more, stopped us from going to the protests so your brother wouldn't have found out or made us stay at the manor... or something. Why can't he just blame me for this? We can do that, go to him and tell him it's all my fault, that I made you do it..."
"That's not true, and I would never pin any sort of blame on you…" KiBum lowered their hands, keeping his eyes closed. "It was my choice, my fault…I'll live with the consequences."
"But we're doing something good," SooHyun said. "Does he not believe in Sign rights even though he's sleeping with KyuJong? Does he not care about him?"
"He does, for Kyu…for Sign rights, not far enough to stop being a fighting house," KiBum replied quietly.
"I wish there was something I could do," SooHyun said. "I didn't think he would be that angry."
"Neither did I." KiBum's voice wavered, and he managed a faint chuckle before wiping at his eyes with his free hand. "On the…on the bright side…no more watching matches," he whispered.
"But no more seeing your brother either," SooHyun said, finally looking at KiBum again. "That doesn't seem a fair trade."
"It isn't," KiBum replied, and those words broke his resolution to be strong as his face crumpled, shoulders shuddering.
SooHyun's ears drooped, not liking this side of KiBum. He'd never seen KiBum this angry and upset before and it was so disconcerting. He put an arm around KiBum's shoulder and tugged on him enough to pull the younger man into his lap. Soohyun was limited on what he understood about humans, but he understood enough to know that someone crying needed comfort.
Letting SooHyun maneuver him into his lap, KiBum buried his face in SooHyun's collar. He finally let out all his grief, arms wrapped tightly around the goat and body shaking as he cried.
There wasn't much else SooHyun could do, just holding onto KiBum tightly and letting him cry. Being a sympathetic person, SooHyun felt a few tears of his own slip out. At some point, he'd lifted KiBum up and took him into their bedroom so KiBum could be more comfortable, SooHyun not once letting him go. Now stretched out in bed, he ran a hand slowly up and down KiBum's back, kissing his forehead lightly. "What do we do now?" he asked quietly when the sobs had finally ended.
Emotionally spent, KiBum's arm remained around SooHyun's waist, curled up against the goat. His eyes slowly opened at the gentle kiss to his forehead. "We finish this," he said softly. "We make our voices heard with the others…if you're still with me."
"Of course," SooHyun smiled gently. "I wasn't planning on going anywhere... you've made me want to fight for my own rights."
That drew a soft smile out of KiBum. "Can you see it?" he whispered, reaching up and lightly framing SooHyun's face with one hand. "Leaving the regulations office a free man, no collar."
"Do we have to wait until then?" SooHyun asked, his hand covering KiBum's and holding it against his cheek. "I've never wanted to be rid of my collar as much as I do now... never even considered it could happen."
"…No, it doesn't have to wait," KiBum pressed a kiss to SooHyun's lips before sitting up slowly. "If you want…we can take it off right now.
"Really? You won't get into trouble? Will I?" SooHyun blinked, sitting up as well.
"No, it's up to me whether I even want my slave to have a collar or not," KiBum replied, smiling lightly at him. "I…wanted you to be comfortable asking me yourself."
SooHyun returned the smile, reaching a hand up to the collar around his neck. He had felt so happy and relieved when KiBum had bought the soft leather one for him. It had been a comfortable weight around his neck, knowing that he wasn't going to feel any pain with this master. But now... KiBum was only his master technically, and they both wanted more than that from each other. "I don't want to wear a collar anymore, can you please remove it?"
"Okay," KiBum's smile widened. He reached out, undoing the buckle on the front of the collar. The collar loosened, and he pulled it away from SooHyun's neck, placing it down beside them.
"... I feel... free," SooHyun murmured, his hand ghosting over the sensitive scarred skin. "Thank you... thank you," he whispered, voice wavering as the tears came unbidden. He didn't know of anything that had made him as happy as he felt that moment.
Smiling softly, KiBum grew SooHyun into a gentle hug, fingers running through the goat's soft hair. "I love you," he whispered beside the older man's ear, closing his eyes.
"I love you too KiBum," SooHyun replied, his arms wrapping tightly around KiBum's waist. "I love you so much.. I can finally say a slave has the right to love."
"Everyone does," KiBum nodded, hugging him for a moment longer before pulling back enough to rest his forehead against SooHyun's. He separated his hand from SooHyun's hair to lightly brush away tears with his thumb. "Now we just have to get out there and show them."
"...Not right this second though, right?" SooHyun asked, eyes half closed as he leaned forward that little bit to give KiBum a kiss.
"No," KiBum whispered against SooHyun's lips. "Now, it's just us." He returned the kiss, pulling SooHyun back down to the bed.
"My favorite part of the day," SooHyun replied, deepening the kiss so thoroughly that KiBum couldn't respond. Not that he would be making any coherent sense in the next minute or so anyway. SooHyun was happy, even if things that happened that day hung a black cloud over them. They would deal with those problems later, even if it seemed hopeless.
Chapter: 35/40 + epilogue
Fandoms: Super Junior, U-Kiss
Pairings: KyuHyun/Zhou Mi, Han Geng/HeeChul, KiBum/SooHyun
Rating: R overall
Warning: AU, violence, angst
Summary: Taking place six years before the events of Decerto, the story of how a human and a slave started a revolution.
The tournament passed far too slowly for KiBum, each day feeling like weeks. If it weren't for SooHyun at his side through the whole thing, he wasn't sure how he would have handled it. Many days the fighting in the ring and the fights with HyungJoon were too much for him, and he had to disappear for a while to avoid saying something he might regret.
He just felt so useless. Everyone else was risking their life to get things done, Kevin and Zhou Mi in danger, but KiBum couldn't do anything other than sit in a booth and watch Signs try to kill each other. If he could just do something, anything, the stress would ease up a little.
He'd managed to attend the protests briefly the day before, while HyungJoon was watching the matches. Just the short hour spent in the crowd of students made him feel a little better. At least this was something he could do right. He slept better that night, rather than toss and turn for hours.
That didn't mean he was happy to head out the next morning for another day of matches. Tying his shoes up, KiBum looked up at SooHyun. "There should be a rest day coming up soon, I think…you wanna get away from here a bit, go do something?"
"Go where?" SooHyun asked, tilting his head slightly as one ear flickered. "You mean out of the city? Then yes, definitely. Anywhere and do anything."
KiBum smiled at that. "How about one of the mountains? Go hiking through a forest…I'll bring that book on flowers so you don't try eating anything that'll make you sick."
"I'd like that," SooHyun grinned. "As long as you'll be happy hiking up a mountain, goats are natural climbers but humans aren't."
"I'll be fine, I'm not that out of shape," KiBum laughed, standing once his shoes were on. "Might not follow you up a cliff face though, I'll take the long way around." He walked to the door, waiting for SooHyun.
"As long as you enjoy yourself too," SooHyun said, following him out the door and closing it behind them. "I know you like to think you have to make sure I'm having fun all the time and enjoying myself, but I want you to be able to do the things you want to do to."
"I am doing what I want to do," KiBum smiled at the goat, taking SooHyun's hand. "Exploring places with you, when it's just us and you're laughing loud enough to scare away the birds, that's what I want to do."
"You're very strange for a human, and that's saying something," SooHyun said, keeping his voice low. There wasn't anyone else in the hall, but there was no way of knowing who was lurking behind doors.
"I hope that's a good kind of strange," KiBum chuckled, heading down the hallway. They'd found a path through the back of the hotel that helped them avoid the majority of the crowd outside, so he headed that way.
"Well... I like it, so I guess so?" SooHyun shrugged, opening the door to the stairwell for KiBum to go first. "Your boyfriend is a Sign, that makes you weird by human standards."
"Probably, but I'm okay with that," KiBum chuckled. "Who wants to be normal?" He headed down the stairwell, listening to the sound of the protests filtering in from the windows. "Is it just me or have they gotten even louder? Must be more people."
"Kevin did say they were bringing in everyone," SooHyun said. "I think he meant it... Maybe after what you told he made sure anyone who could hold up a sign or chant was here."
When they exited the stairwell and made their way outside to the colosseum, KiBum saw they were right. The amount of protestors had swelled, even reaching the path they'd chosen to avoid the crowd. "Wow," KiBum listened to the loud chanting as they walked to the colosseum. He could hear Kevin on the megaphone, but couldn't see the blond kid through the sea of people.
So many people around made SooHyun very nervous. It wouldn't take much to set off tempers in this volatile of a situation, they'd heard that reports of slave owners being attacked on the streets. Even though people knew who he and KiBum were, one person who didn't could set off a very bad chain reaction. SooHyun kept himself as close to KiBum as possible, his hand at the small of KiBum's back to urge him to go quickly.
Not only were the protestors a problem, but so were the press. Someone had figured out who KiBum was and every time one of them caught sight of KiBum, the younger brother was hounded with questions about HyungJoon and the house, and especially KyuJong. In fact, there were two men with cameras strolling towards the colosseum doors and if they didn't hurry, would beat KiBum inside. "You would think they would have come up with a way to keep the house masters and their families safe during all this," he spoke into KiBum's ear.
"There are…escorts to and from the colosseum, but they can only do so much," KiBum replied, a little distracted. "I don't think they were expecting this many protestors." He did speed up when he noticed the cameramen heading the same direction as them. No way was he dealing with that again.
Thankfully they made it into the colosseum first, heading into one of the lifts. "I don't mind the city crowds, but I do mind people trying to shove cameras in my face," KiBum mumbled to SooHyun, leaning slightly against the goat.
"I mind people getting anywhere near you," SooHyun huffed, his arm tightening around KiBum's waist.
Chuckling quietly, KiBum took advantage of being alone in the lift to lean up and press a soft kiss to SooHyun's lips. The lift stopped at their floor a moment later, and his hand slipped into SooHyun's again as they headed out and to their box.
When they got there, only YunHo and YoungSaeng were present. KiBum said a quiet good morning, going to his seat in the corner with SooHyun.
HyungJoon arrived not long after, towing a very confused looking RyeoWook with him. "Morning, YunHo," the young master said, YunHo and YoungSaeng. "YoungSaeng... SooHyun, I'm going to ask the both of you to leave for a moment," he said, looking at KiBum directly. "RyeoWook is going to escort you to my viewing box for the time being."
Eyebrows going up, SooHyun looked to KiBum in confusion. The hard edge to HyungJoon's tone and his narrowed eyes gave him pause. He'd seen HyungJoon upset before, but it looked like the older brother was angry... and angry at KiBum.
Meeting SooHyun's look with just as much confusion, KiBum turned to face his brother. His eyes went from HyungJoon to RyeoWook. "Why, what's going on," he asked, feeling a sense of foreboding in how HyungJoon was looking at him.
"You and I are going to have a conversation," HyungJoon said, his lips pressed firmly together. "I would rather the slaves weren't here for it."
YoungSaeng was getting to his feet, giving YunHo a quick kiss before heading to the door. "Come on, goat, family business trumps," he said. Looking at KiBum nervously, SooHyun slowly got to his feet and shuffled towards the door.
"I'll send someone for you when we're done," HyungJoon said, nodding to RyeoWook to lead them out.
KiBum inhaled deeply once SooHyun was gone, leaving him alone with HyungJoon and YunHo, who also seemed to know what was going on. He shifted in his seat to face them better. "Well, what is it."
HyungJoon sat down beside him, taking a deep breath. When he looked at KiBum, his expression was hurt.
"I know…KiBum. I know you're one of the protestors."
KiBum's heart sank in his chest, throat closing. But…how? He'd been careful to stay away…except for yesterday. Had someone seen him and SooHyun with the protestors in the brief amount of time they'd been there?
He didn't know what to say, heart starting to race. He forced himself to stay calm and not panic, meeting HyungJoon's eyes. "Are you going to ask me to stop?"
"If you want to continue to be supported by me, then yes," HyungJoon replied, frowning. "I won't have someone living off the money I make part of that, it's complete and utter hypocrisy."
KiBum's jaw clenched slightly, and he looked away. There had to be a good way to say this…there had to be a way to make HyungJoon understand. "I'm not going to stop. I believe in their cause," he said finally.
"Then you're no longer a part of my family," HyungJoon said, and KiBum froze. "Which means you're no longer welcome at the house. Dad would be so ashamed of you right now."
Pain stabbed him, KiBum looking at HyungJoon in shock. Was HyungJoon really-?
"HyungJoon, surely that isn't the only answer," YunHo tried to interject.
HyungJoon was disowning him. Without even giving KiBum a chance to explain himself, to show why he believed in the protesting. And bringing Dad into it…KiBum felt the tears start, and stood up.
"No, if that's what he wants, then fine. If standing up for what I believe is right is a cause for shame, then I won't bother you with my presence again. None of us can change the fact we were born into this life, but that isn't going to make a bad thing right." The words he'd wanted to say for so long finally came out. "They deserve more than to fight like animals and die for us, or to be used as bedwarmers, or to have a life in chains."
HyungJoon stood up as well, glaring at his brother. "I agree with you KiBum, and I want things to change just as much as you, but you have been lying to me from the start! Yet you lecture me because I kept how bad things were from you. That is why I'm angry with you, and that is why I have asked you to stop. I don't think you completely understand what it is I'm saying right now. By continuing to protest against your own brother, I will cut you off, close your bank account and cancel your credit cards. You want to fight injustice? Then do it on someone else's dime and not with money won by the very thing you're protesting."
"For your information, hyung, I didn't use a single won of your dirty money for this," KiBum hissed, hands clenched at his sides. "I got a part-time job and used my own money. And I understand full well what you're saying. I'm telling you that I'm not stopping, because if we don't stand up for them, who will? I never wanted to lie to you, but I knew you'd react like this and wanted to hold on to my brother for a little longer."
"Just so you can stab me in the back later?" HyungJoon shook his head before he sat back down, rubbing at his forehead. "Whatever KiBum. Do whatever you want with your life. It's not like we were that close anyway, I don't know you bothered to try."
KiBum was shaking by then. He didn't know how he wasn't already crying. "Maybe because even after everything, I still love my hyung and wanted this whole fighting business behind us so we can be close again."
He stepped around the couch and towards the door, fingers curling around the doorknob. "Goodbye."
"This is my life KiBum, I'm sorry you couldn't accept that," HyungJoon said, not moving from where he was sitting. "I'll have your things set out for you from the house if you want them, or are they all tainted as well?"
"I don't need them." KiBum opened the door, stepping out. "I don't want a life that sends innocent people to die."
He left the room, walking down the hallway towards the viewing box where SooHyun would be. After a minute, he realized HyungJoon wasn't going to come after him. His brother was really disowning him. He was still in shock, the reality not sinking in yet.
Finding the other viewing box, he opened the door, seeing the three Signs inside. "Come on SooHyun, let's go."
SooHyun slowly rose to his feet from where he'd been sitting on one of the couches. The other two Signs had been nice enough to talk to him while they were there, but he had been an anxious mess the entire time. Of course, he didn't miss the look in KiBum's eyes, and his anxiety went through the roof. "KiBum? What's wrong? What happened?" he asked softly, stepping towards him.
"Nothing, we're going." KiBum turned away from the room, not even looking at RyeoWook or YoungSaeng. He headed back to the lift, hands jammed into his pockets to keep them from shaking.
SooHyun made a hasty goodbye to the other two Signs before trotting out after him to the lifts. By the time he caught up, the gates were opening to let people out. Fidgeting anxiously until everyone was off, he waited until the gates had closed once they were inside to look at KiBum with wide eyes. "Obviously something happened..."
KiBum's expression had closed off, the younger man's eyes unfocused and not looking at SooHyun. "We're going back to the hotel," was all he would say, an edge to his voice that wasn't directed at the goat.
Shrinking back slightly, SooHyun watched KiBum worriedly. He'd never heard KiBum talk that way and he was more than a little scared to go back to the room with him. Shuffling away a little, he clasped his hands in front of him and looked down at the floor. When the lift reached the ground floor, he waited until KiBum exited before following after, staying at least two steps behind the entire way to the hotel.
Even once in the hotel, there was no conversation, KiBum staying silent. Anger and grief tore at him, anger at both HyungJoon and himself. He felt like the world had dropped out from under him.
Stepping into their hotel room, he didn't even bother taking off his shoes. KiBum strode over to the closet, pulling out their luggage bags and dumping them on the bed before starting to open drawers.
SooHyun was frozen at the door, watching KiBum pack. Whatever had happened had been bad, that much was clear. But they were leaving? Lips thinning, Soohyun quietly started to help put things neatly into the suitcases. When KiBum was ready to talk, he would listen and try to understand.
Once the clothes were packed away, SooHyun zipped up the suitcases and lifted them off the bed, setting them down by the door. He waited quietly, head down until KiBum was ready to go.
KiBum looked blankly at the bags by the door. This was really happening. He wasn't a Kim anymore. Throat constricting, he turned away from the door. "Find Kevin and tell him we'll be at the apartment," he said quietly. "I need a minute."
Bowing a little, SooHyun slipped out the door and left KiBum alone. It would be hard to find Kevin in the mess on the streets.
KiBum turned slightly to look at the door as it closed behind SooHyun. He sat down, staring down at his hands. Was wanting Signs to be free really that horrible? He hadn't even been given a chance to explain himself…tell HyungJoon the things he'd seen, the hope and happiness in America, the crushing despair in the breeding house…
He kept coming back to the realization that he no longer had a brother, the thought hitting him like a ton of bricks over and over. Choking back a sob, KiBum pressed one hand to his mouth, tears flowing in a steady stream.
When SooHyun returned some time later, he slipped in just as quietly as he had left. It didn't surprise him that KiBum was crying, but he wished he knew why. Not sure what to do, he stood up against the wall, hands clasped and head down.
It took a few minutes for KiBum to respond to SooHyun's presence, shoulders shaking as he cried. His hand dropped from his face, head lowered.
"We're not going back home," he whispered finally, voice watery.
SooHyun nodded, already coming to that conclusion since he just went to tell Kevin they were going to the apartment. "Kevin said he will be waiting for us," he replied quietly.
KiBum nodded mutely, closing his eyes. As the shock slowly subsided, despair took it's place. He was alone now. He'd lost the only family he had, and now he was really alone.
Staggering to his feet, KiBum wiped at his eyes. "Let's go," he whispered, slowly picking up his bags and slinging them over his shoulder.
SooHyun took the other bag, opening the door for him. There wasn't much he could do at this point, feeling helpless.
They met Kevin down by the bus depot, how the other man had gotten away from the protests was left to the imagination since more students were still coming in. KiBum didn't reply to the question of what was wrong, eyes closed as he waited for the bus.
It took half an hour to get back to the apartment, the ride there silent. Finally they arrived, KiBum stepping into the apartment and placing his bags just inside the door to his and SooHyun's bedroom.
Despite what people seemed to believe about him on first glance, Kevin wasn't an idiot. It was very obvious that this wasn't a social visit especially since SooHyun looked like someone had rewired his programming again and was staying out peoples way, not saying anything. Closing the door and locking it, Kevin gave a wary glance to SooHyun as he followed KiBum to the older man's bedroom. "So... how long are you staying?" he asked.
"I don't know," KiBum said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. He looked down at his hands. "HyungJoon found out, about the protests."
Eyes widening, Kevin moved into the room to sit down next to him. "What happened? Did you guys fight?"
KiBum nodded, exhaling shakily as he closed his eyes. He was on the verge of tears again. "He disowned me."
"Oh... KiBum," Kevin's eyes softened as he put an arm around KiBum's shoulders. "I'm sorry... I know how much he means to you. Maybe... maybe he was just being rash and didn't really mean it, and he'll apologize or... I don't know. Is there anything I can do?"
KiBum didn't really believe Kevin's words; for HyungJoon to be angry enough to disown him, he must truly hate KiBum now. KiBum's shoulder's shuddered slightly, and he shook his head. "…Where's SooHyun?" he asked after a long minute of silence, looking up at his friend.
"Uh..." Kevin craned his neck over to look out the door, seeing SooHyun standing exactly where he'd left him. "In the living room, looking like someone removed his brain. Is he okay?"
"I don't know…" KiBum had been too upset to pay attention to the goat, barely registering SooHyun's presence. He leaned against Kevin a little, taking in the amount of comfort offered, and slowly stood. "I should talk to him," he said quietly, scrubbing at his eyes.
"Well I don't think he's going anywhere, so it can wait until you've calmed down a little," Kevin said. "Was he there when it happened? I'm sure that's why he's like that."
KiBum shook his head, leaning against the wall and head down. "He knows we're not going back home…not why, I couldn't…tell him in front of all those people."
"So he doesn't know what happened?" Kevin frowned slightly at that. "Then I don't know what's wrong with him... you want me to go get him?"
"No…I should talk to him," KiBum wiped his eyes, trying to clear away the tears. "I just need a moment. I'm sorry for taking you away from the protests."
"Hey, you're my friend and needed help, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now," Kevin said gently. "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help."
"Thank you," KiBum nodded, straightening and forcing a small smile. "That…means a lot to me right now. Not that…it didn't before…but you know what I mean." He exhaled slowly before turned to go back into the living room. He saw that SooHyun really hadn't moved from the doorway. "…SooHyun?"
The goat's eyes came back into focus and he looked at KiBum, inclining his head. Kevin watched with a frown from KiBum's shoulder. "I... need to get back, you going to be okay here?"
"Yeah…thanks, Kev," KiBum nodded. Looking down, he reached out and lightly touched SooHyun's hand. "Come on…let's go sit down."
SooHyun didn't reply, not even a twitch of his fingers as he looked up at KiBum and followed him to the couch to sit down. Perched tensely on the edge of the cushion, hands resting on his knees he stared forward as if he would be asked to jump at any second. Seeing that, Kevin gave KiBum a supportive smile as he put his shoes back on and left, closing the door behind him.
Throat constricting as he watched SooHyun, KiBum bit the inside of his cheek and closed his eyes for a moment to compose himself. He had to be strong right now, if not for himself, then for SooHyun. Sitting down beside SooHyun, he glanced sideways at SooHyun's hands resting on his knees.
"HyungJoon found out, about me being part of the protests." His voice was quiet. "I'm not welcome back at the Kim house anymore. I'm sorry…we won't be going back."
That finally got a reaction out of SooHyun as he looked at KiBum, though his expression was unreadable. "I'm sorry..." he whispered after a moment, looking away again. "Do you want me to unpack your things?"
"No…I'll do it after," KiBum shook his head. He reached out and lightly covered SooHyun's hand with his own. "It'll…be tough for a while, but we'll get through this." He didn't sound entirely convinced of that himself.
SooHyun looked down at the hand, his brow furrowing slightly. "I'm sorry.... I wasn't being a good boyfriend," he said finally. "I should have done more to comfort you but I didn't know what was wrong and you were so angry and I didn't want to get hit... I'm sorry."
"I'd never hit you…never," KiBum shook his head slowly, looking down at their hands too as his fingers curled a little more securely around SooHyun's. "Was that…why you were so quiet?"
"I had never seen you so angry before," SooHyun said, trying not to tremble but failing miserably. "I didn't know what had happened or what you would do if I kept talking to you and asking you questions, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for doubting you."
"Don't be sorry," KiBum whispered. "It's not your fault…" He lifted their hands, fingers linking together as he pressed a soft kiss to the back of SooHyun's hand, eyes closing.
"That doesn't mean I'm not sorry for my actions," SooHyun said, hanging his head. "Maybe if I had spoken up more, stopped us from going to the protests so your brother wouldn't have found out or made us stay at the manor... or something. Why can't he just blame me for this? We can do that, go to him and tell him it's all my fault, that I made you do it..."
"That's not true, and I would never pin any sort of blame on you…" KiBum lowered their hands, keeping his eyes closed. "It was my choice, my fault…I'll live with the consequences."
"But we're doing something good," SooHyun said. "Does he not believe in Sign rights even though he's sleeping with KyuJong? Does he not care about him?"
"He does, for Kyu…for Sign rights, not far enough to stop being a fighting house," KiBum replied quietly.
"I wish there was something I could do," SooHyun said. "I didn't think he would be that angry."
"Neither did I." KiBum's voice wavered, and he managed a faint chuckle before wiping at his eyes with his free hand. "On the…on the bright side…no more watching matches," he whispered.
"But no more seeing your brother either," SooHyun said, finally looking at KiBum again. "That doesn't seem a fair trade."
"It isn't," KiBum replied, and those words broke his resolution to be strong as his face crumpled, shoulders shuddering.
SooHyun's ears drooped, not liking this side of KiBum. He'd never seen KiBum this angry and upset before and it was so disconcerting. He put an arm around KiBum's shoulder and tugged on him enough to pull the younger man into his lap. Soohyun was limited on what he understood about humans, but he understood enough to know that someone crying needed comfort.
Letting SooHyun maneuver him into his lap, KiBum buried his face in SooHyun's collar. He finally let out all his grief, arms wrapped tightly around the goat and body shaking as he cried.
There wasn't much else SooHyun could do, just holding onto KiBum tightly and letting him cry. Being a sympathetic person, SooHyun felt a few tears of his own slip out. At some point, he'd lifted KiBum up and took him into their bedroom so KiBum could be more comfortable, SooHyun not once letting him go. Now stretched out in bed, he ran a hand slowly up and down KiBum's back, kissing his forehead lightly. "What do we do now?" he asked quietly when the sobs had finally ended.
Emotionally spent, KiBum's arm remained around SooHyun's waist, curled up against the goat. His eyes slowly opened at the gentle kiss to his forehead. "We finish this," he said softly. "We make our voices heard with the others…if you're still with me."
"Of course," SooHyun smiled gently. "I wasn't planning on going anywhere... you've made me want to fight for my own rights."
That drew a soft smile out of KiBum. "Can you see it?" he whispered, reaching up and lightly framing SooHyun's face with one hand. "Leaving the regulations office a free man, no collar."
"Do we have to wait until then?" SooHyun asked, his hand covering KiBum's and holding it against his cheek. "I've never wanted to be rid of my collar as much as I do now... never even considered it could happen."
"…No, it doesn't have to wait," KiBum pressed a kiss to SooHyun's lips before sitting up slowly. "If you want…we can take it off right now.
"Really? You won't get into trouble? Will I?" SooHyun blinked, sitting up as well.
"No, it's up to me whether I even want my slave to have a collar or not," KiBum replied, smiling lightly at him. "I…wanted you to be comfortable asking me yourself."
SooHyun returned the smile, reaching a hand up to the collar around his neck. He had felt so happy and relieved when KiBum had bought the soft leather one for him. It had been a comfortable weight around his neck, knowing that he wasn't going to feel any pain with this master. But now... KiBum was only his master technically, and they both wanted more than that from each other. "I don't want to wear a collar anymore, can you please remove it?"
"Okay," KiBum's smile widened. He reached out, undoing the buckle on the front of the collar. The collar loosened, and he pulled it away from SooHyun's neck, placing it down beside them.
"... I feel... free," SooHyun murmured, his hand ghosting over the sensitive scarred skin. "Thank you... thank you," he whispered, voice wavering as the tears came unbidden. He didn't know of anything that had made him as happy as he felt that moment.
Smiling softly, KiBum grew SooHyun into a gentle hug, fingers running through the goat's soft hair. "I love you," he whispered beside the older man's ear, closing his eyes.
"I love you too KiBum," SooHyun replied, his arms wrapping tightly around KiBum's waist. "I love you so much.. I can finally say a slave has the right to love."
"Everyone does," KiBum nodded, hugging him for a moment longer before pulling back enough to rest his forehead against SooHyun's. He separated his hand from SooHyun's hair to lightly brush away tears with his thumb. "Now we just have to get out there and show them."
"...Not right this second though, right?" SooHyun asked, eyes half closed as he leaned forward that little bit to give KiBum a kiss.
"No," KiBum whispered against SooHyun's lips. "Now, it's just us." He returned the kiss, pulling SooHyun back down to the bed.
"My favorite part of the day," SooHyun replied, deepening the kiss so thoroughly that KiBum couldn't respond. Not that he would be making any coherent sense in the next minute or so anyway. SooHyun was happy, even if things that happened that day hung a black cloud over them. They would deal with those problems later, even if it seemed hopeless.